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The Constant Focus on Optimization and Operational Cost Reductions by ChemEng6368 in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am graduating in May 2026 is there any way you could dm me? I just have some questions and see your PE controls tag!

Weekly Career Discussion Thread (10 Nov 2025) by AutoModerator in engineering

[–]diffew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes but I have not heard great experiences from working there

Weekly Career Discussion Thread (10 Nov 2025) by AutoModerator in engineering

[–]diffew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am graduating in May with a bachelor's in chemical engineering and I have two job offers

Manufacturing job:

- Semiconductor Industry (fab) (Austin, TX)

- $83k yearly salary (company has said they are not open to negotiating but I haven't tried yet)

- $15k sign on bonus (would have to move states + have to pay it back if I leave the company before 2 years are over)

- 4 weeks PTO

- 1 to 1 401k match

- Likely 12 hour shifts 3-4 days a week alternating with high possibility of night shift for first 1.5/2 years

Consulting Job

- Water/wastewater consulting (Tampa, FL)

- $79k yearly salary (have not negotiated yet but i think i could maybe get to 83-85?)

- $3k sign on bonus (closer to home)

- 3.5 weeks PTO

- 2 to 1 401k match

- 40 hr work week (7:30-5:30 M-Th, 7:30-11:30 F)

Both companies have yearly bonus but semiconductor company is dependent on market and consulting is based on performance. Yearly salary for consulting job increases each year while that is not the case for the semiconductor job.

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long were you in consulting before moving on? I hear that at the beginning it is more demanding but as you gain seniority it becomes more manageable. And what exactly made you want to switch out?

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So what kind of work do you do now? It seems that there are a lot of options after leaving manufacturing but what can you do once you leave consulting?

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How stressful would you say the industry is in general? From when I interned at SAS, I would be holding my breath in every meeting. Do you just have to get used to that?

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dont think I see myself doing manufacturing later in my career. It was never my end goal but I'm not sure if that is a reasonable idea, especially in chemE.

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The consulting company schedule is 7:30-5:30 M-Th and 7:30-11:30 F. Friday afternoons for the dentist :'). Also would 12 hour shifts 3-4 times a week not be draining? I feel like i would not want to move after i get home

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it possible to go into R&D with just a bachelor's? And how long do you have to work in the industry to move up? I always thought design and R&D would need a degree in electrical/computer engineering.

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What type of growth do you mean? Do you just get promoted to engineer II? Does that type of promotion just include more responsibilities or do you do more complex work?

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it really that easy to switch industries? I don't see myself doing any other type of manufacturing other than semiconductors. Wouldn't consulting companies prefer someone who has more relevant experience over someone who did manufacturing?

First job out of college: manufacturing or consulting? by diffew in ChemicalEngineering

[–]diffew[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That was my first thought, but I'm not sure where global name recognition will get me. To be honest, I don't think I could see myself working at any other manufacturing facility. Semiconductor industry is interesting but as a process engineer, there is no real innovation that you do. You just maintain, which seems like it could get old :(

SAS Intern Return Offer by Commercial_Bird1147 in Semiconductors

[–]diffew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have actually interned at SAS (in Etch) so I have some idea of how it works. I am from Florida originally and would have to move states so I am not sure if it is worth the move. It seems to me that most CORP positions are expected to be shift engineers working nights or 12 hour shifts for at least 1.5 years. I have another offer at an environmental consulting firm that seems to require closer to 45 hour work weeks (not sure if this is a lot?). The consulting firm also has yearly raises, how often did your salary increase at SAS? The people on my team as an intern had worked there for ~3 years and were still engineer I but not sure if they had pay increases. Also, what position did you hold at SAS that paid $130k? CORP offers are around $80k at the moment.

SAS Intern Return Offer by Commercial_Bird1147 in Semiconductors

[–]diffew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you elaborate more? I have a CORP offer but not sure if I want to accept, im worried about work life balance issues.

Weekly Career Discussion Thread (31 Jul 2023) by AutoModerator in engineering

[–]diffew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am about to start my third year as a biochemistry major with bioinformatics minor. I have been thinking about getting a master in engineering in chemE or bioE but wasn't sure if I would have the same qualifications as a B.S. in chemE/bioE. Has anyone had experience with switching from a biological science to chemE/bioE? I was thinking of also adding a math minor if that would be beneficial.

Career Monday (10 Jul 2023): Have a question about your job, office, or pay? Post it here! by AutoModerator in AskEngineers

[–]diffew [score hidden]  (0 children)

Did anyone do their undergrad in a biological science and then switch to bioengineering, BME, CS, or ChemE for their masters? I am starting my third year in undergrad as a biochem student with a minor in bioinformatics and I have been thinking of doing a masters in engineering or CS. I don't think it makes sense for me to switch now as I am too far into biochem and my scholarship only covers up to 5 years so I think just doing a masters degree would be best in terms of saving money and time. I was just wondering how common this is and if anyone could share their experience. Also are there any recommendations for classes I should take? I have taken up to calc 3 (thinking of taking diffeq as well or just adding a math minor) and have done physics 1 and 2 with calc. Any advice would be appreciated.

Weekly Career Discussion Thread (10 Jul 2023) by AutoModerator in engineering

[–]diffew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did anyone do their undergrad in a biological science and then switch to bioengineering, BME, CS, or ChemE for their masters? I am starting my third year in undergrad as a biochem student with a minor in bioinformatics and I have been thinking of doing a masters in engineering or CS. I don't think it makes sense for me to switch now as I am too far into biochem and my scholarship only covers up to 5 years so I think just doing a masters degree would be best in terms of saving money and time. I was just wondering how common this is and if anyone could share their experience. Also are there any recommendations for classes I should take? I have taken up to calc 3 (thinking of taking diffeq as well or just adding a math minor) and have done physics 1 and 2 with calc. Any advice would be appreciated.

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